Liberal parliamentarians had no problem with the idea of making the Prussian army bigger, however, as liberals, they hoped that the Prussian officer corps would eventually come to be dominated by the men of the Prussian middle class, rather than by the class of noble Junker land owners who traditionally made up the body of Prussian officers. King Wilhelm I and his minister of war rejected this liberal attempt to change the class composition of the Prussian officer corps, and the parliament threatened to veto the military budget.
Along with parliament's attempt to open the leadership of the Prussian army to the middle class, what was taking place in Prussia at this time was essentially an attempt by the parliament to assert itself against the power of the monarchy and the army, and gather more power for itself. Later in 1860, Wilhelm called upon Biz, who had a reputation as a conservative with courage, to stand firm against the parliament. He wanted Biz to become prime minister and defy parliament; spend the money the government requested (despite the unconstitutional nature of such an act) and break the liberal opposition. Biz-with a very limited knowledge of economics, no experience in social policy making, and caring nothing for this military dispute-would agree to become Prussian Prime Minister so long as Wilhelm gave him what he really wanted: unfettered control of Prussian foreign policy making. Wilhelm refused.
Wilhelm held out until 1862, at the moment when his ministers were willing to give in to parliament's demand to open the officer corps to the middle class. Unwilling to surrender to parliament, Wilhelm handed the reigns of domestic policy making to Biz when Biz suggested that he would bring royal government to victory over the supremacy of parliament. Two weeks after being appointed prime minister, Biz was made foreign minister as well. Biz now held incredible power in his hands; he could not be turfed in a popular election, he could only be dismissed by the king.
